A young boy has been shot in the face by an airgun pellet.

Police say the Colchester 12-year-old was fortunate to escape serious injury.

The youngster was riding his bike along Villa Road, Stanway, looking for his friends at about 7.15pm yesterday when he noticed three older youths.

As he cycled down an alleyway next to Martin's Newsagents he heard a sound and felt a sharp sting near his eye.

The pellet left a tell-tale round red mark on his face a couple of inches from his eye.

The boy's furious father said his son was not knocked off his bike and rode straight home.

The man, who did not wish to be identified, said: "It's sad that there is someone out there mucking about like this. To shoot someone in the head as they ride past is extremely dangerous. I think whoever did it is probably too childish to realise what could have happened. I think he is very lucky.

"If the gun had been a tiny bit more elevated the pellet could have gone into his eye and blinded him."

He said his son, a pupil at Stanway School, was shaken by the attack.

"But he is a strong lad. He is fine now and has gone back to school," he said.

Det Sgt Roy Clarke, of Colchester police, said the youngster did not get a good enough look at the youths to give a description of them.

Witnesses are asked to contact police on 01206 762212 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111

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